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- Filipino Simbang Gabi or Misa de Aguinaldo. Simbang Gabi is a Filipino word that literally translates to “Night Mass”. It is our version of Misa de Aguinaldo, where a 9-day dawn mass is held as we approach Christmas day – from December 16 to December 24.
- Classic Christmas Foods in the Philippines. There are seasonal Filipino delicacies that are not typically found all year-round but are mostly served during the Christmas season.
- Parol : Filipino Christmas Lantern. Parol, Filipino Christmas Lantern | Photo by: Wuttichai jantarak | Shutterstock Photo ID: 490206430. Parol is the local term for lantern.
- Filipino Christmas Decorations. For Filipinos, putting up colorful Christmas decors is a family tradition that every child and child-at-heart look forward to.
- Enchanted Kingdom’s Eco-Friendly Tree. Enchanted Kingdom’s (EK) magical Christmas centerpiece, towering at 35 feet, is made of 6,000 empty alcohol bottles to raise awareness for the environment and remind everyone to stay safe during the holidays.
- Guinness Record-Holder “MEGA Christmas Tree Tower for Charity” A Christmas tree tower of sardine cans, built for a food charity for Filipino families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, has snagged the new Guinness World Record for the “Tallest Tin Can Structure.”
- Christmas Trees by Filipino Bookworms. These Filipinos have made Instagram-worthy Christmas trees out of books to share the love of reading with netizens on social media.
- Christmas Trees at SM Malls. Christmas trees at SM Malls across the country have become a way to showcase the creativity of local designers. Every year, Filipino families visit SM Malls to take a photo with the gorgeous holiday centerpieces which feature Philippine-made ornaments by artisans and craftsmen in the regions where they are located.
- We Have A Filipino Version of Leaving Empty Stockings
- The Origins and The Real Purpose of The Parol
- One Filipino Christmas Song Was Inspired by World War II
- Simbang Gabi Was Once Banned in The Philippines
- Carolling Used to Be Done in Spanish
- One Barangay Celebrates Christmas in Its Cemetery
- The First True Filipino Christmas Cards Came Out only in The 1950s
- Japan Used Christmas as Propaganda During World War II
While we may be familiar with the Western tradition of leaving empty socks or stockings for Santa Claus to fill up with goodies, little-known is the fact that we Filipinos also have our own take on the tradition. READ: 9 Philippine Icons and Traditions That May Disappear Soon A holdover from the Spanish era, the tradition is set during the Feast of...
Used to decorate homes and buildings, the parol is easily one of the most iconic symbols of the Filipino-style Christmas season. It’s also surprising to know that early Filipinos based the parol on the Mexican piñata. Also Read: 5 Awesome Philippine Heroes Who Are Not Filipinos Thepiñataitself originated from Italy, found its way to Spain, and then...
Although we may be more familiar with the jingles of “Sa Maybahay ang Aming Bati” and “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit,” there is also the hauntingly beautiful “Payapang Daigdig.” Composed by National Artist Felipe Padilla De Leon, “Payapang Daigdig” was the Filipino equivalent of “Silent Night”and was first sung during the Japanese invasion of the Philippine...
It’s hard to imagine Filipinos celebrating Christmas without the time-honored tradition of the Simbang Gabi (also known as the Misa de Aguinaldo). However, colonial Filipinos did miss nine years of Simbang Gabi services from 1680 to 1689 due to a Vatican decree which was implemented by Manila Archbishop Felipe Pardo. READ: Top 10 Most Bizarre Filip...
Nowadays, we often hear people singing Christmas in English, Tagalog, or some other native dialect. However, there used to be a time when singing such songs were done in Spanish. During the period of colonial Philippines, Spanish carols (“villancinco”) were initially only done during Mass but soon found their way into the streets due to their popul...
Strange as it may sound, even the dead can join in the Christmas fun as far as the folks of Brgy. Tanza, Iloilo City are concerned. The barangay, which houses a public cemetery, decked the area with Christmas decorations including lanterns, Christmas trees, lights, and even a Belen for its first-ever Christmas celebration in the cemetery in Decembe...
With the arrival of the Americans came, of course, the Americanization of the Filipino way of celebrating Christmas, including the custom of giving greeting cards. Usually, these cards contained drawings of Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and snow—themes reminiscent of an American-style Christmas. However, Manuel Rodriguez Sr.—widely regarded as the ...
Well-aware of the Filipinos’ love for Christmas, the Japanese attempted to utilize the holiday season as propaganda against the Americans during World War II. Specifically, they made a series of Christmas cards exalting themselves while demonizing the Americans. The cards also called on the Filipinos to cooperate with the Japanese since they were b...
- The Extended Yuletide Season. The Early Start: Unlike anywhere else in the world, Christmas in the Philippines begins in September. This extended festive period is not just a celebration but a reflection of the Filipinos’ enduring spirit and joyous outlook on life.
- Belen: The Heart of Filipino Christmas. Nativity Scenes Everywhere: The Belen, a depiction of the nativity scene, is a central element in Filipino Christmas decor.
- The Parol: A Symbol of Hope and Light. Illuminating Filipino Nights: The parol, a star-shaped lantern, is an iconic Christmas emblem in the Philippines.
- Simbang Gabi: A Nine-Day Spiritual Journey. Dawn Masses and Wishes: Simbang Gabi is a series of nine dawn or night masses leading up to Christmas Day, deeply ingrained in Filipino Christmas tradition.
- Starting Christmas in the -ber months. If you look up “longest Christmas season in the world”, the Philippines will come up as a result.
- Setting up a Belen. In most countries, nativity scenes – also known as the Belen – are only set up in churches or other religious spaces.
- Adorning buildings and posts with a parol. Everyone knows about Christmas lights, but the Philippines has the parol (lantern), a Christmas ornament unique to us.
- Attending Simbang Gabi. Simbang Gabi means “night mass”, which is basically what it is. Filipinos attend mass either late at night or in the wee hours of the morning for all 9 days before Christmas.
Jan 24, 2022 · Truly a unique experience, Christmas in the Philippines – or in Filipino, “Paskong Pinoy” – is unlike anywhere else in the world because of the cultural traditions that are observed during the holiday season. One of the most popular traditions is the Simbang Gabi, or dawn mass. This religious service is held every day from December 16th ...
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Dec 16, 2022 · My old school teachers would also sing songs in the hope to give money to charity. 2. Mass is attended for nine days. When it comes to celebrations, Filipinos go all out. Simbang Gabi, a series of ...
